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In order to clarify the optimal sintering conditions, the effects of processing parameter on phase evolution, physical, microstructure, dielectric, ferroelectric, and energy storage density properties of bismuth sodium titanatestrontium bismuth titanate ceramics (or BNT-SBT) were investigated. The studied ceramics were fabricated via a conventional mixed oxide method and sintered at temperatures ranging from 1100-1175 °C under normal atmosphere for 3 h dwell time with a heating/cooling rate of 5 °C/min. The XRD data revealed that the coexisting rhombohedral and tetragonal phases were observed in all of the ceramics. With increasing sintering temperature, the cubic-rich phase was dominated; and the average grain size tended to increase. For the ceramics sintered at 1150 °C, the good density (5.74 g/cm³), dielectric ("max = 3510, tanδ = 0.0501, TF-R = 73.80 °C, Tm = 273 °C), and ferroelectric (Pr = 3.05 µC/cm², Ec = 7.69 kV/cm) were obtained. In addition, the obtimum sintering temperature of 1150 °C was also found to improve the energy storage density properties (W = 0.94 J/cm³, η = 89.93% at 125 °C, and E = Emax). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study concentrated on porous geopolymer composites (between calcined clay and metakaolin) using hydrogen peroxide as a pore generation agent. To reduce as well as recycle the waste from a factory, calcined clay waste was used as starting material. The geopolymer was synthesized via a geopolymerization method by a reaction with an alkaline solution, using the ceramic waste and metakaolin as raw materials. Different amount of olive oil (0–15 wt%) were added to the samples. The olive oil affected the pore formation of the geopolymers. The effects of olive oil, a surfactant, on the properties of the geopolymer composites were investigated. Apparent density and compressive strength of the samples tended to decrease with the additive, while water absorption and total porosity had the opposite effect. However, a variation in the apparent density and water absorption values was observed, due to the formation of closed pores in the samples. The trend of compressive strength value was related with total porosity. A model for pore formation was proposed in this work. The results suggest that this material can be used as a geopolymer foam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to investigate the key properties, mullite formation and glaze-body fit of sanitary ware bodies, by using pottery stone from Lampang, Thailand as a substitute for kaolin, feldspar, and silica. Seven samples of formulated bodies were prepared by wet milling, formed by plaster mold casting, and fired at 1175 °C, 1200 °C, and 1225 °C. Testings were carried out in accordance with ASTM C373-88, ASTM C326-09, ASTM C689-09, and ASTM C372-94. Phase analysis and microstructure of selected formulations were analyzed by using XRD and SEM. For the formulation having 37.7-20.7-41.6 of C-Q-F ratio and pottery stone in substitute for 100% silica, after firing at 1200 °C showed 9.27% total shrinkage, 0.17% water absorption, and 60 MPa flexure stress. The crystal structure resulted in higher amount of mullite. The linear thermal expansion and thermal expansion coefficient were lower to 0.34 and 7.07 × 10−6/°C, respectively. The difference of linear thermal expansion between the formulated body and commercial white-opaque glaze was − 0.02 at 500 °C. The shrinkage difference of body and glaze showed that the glaze-body fit was under slightly amount of compression. As a result, the formulation with the substitute for 100% silica could be vitrificated at lower temperature and indicated positive trends towards lower dunting during firing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of Mg doping on optical properties of ZnO films was investigated in this work. The films were prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis on glass substrates heated at 350–450°C in air. The atomic percentage ratios of Mg/Zn were 0–9 at.%. All films were ZnO polycrystalline structure with preferred orientation (002) plane. A shift of the absorption edge in transmittance spectra of films occurred with added Mg content and shifted to a lower wavelength with increased Mg content. This shift behavior was influenced by the band gap of doped ZnO films, the band gap increasing with Mg content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the fabrication of glass ceramics containing ferroelectric KNN crystals has been carried out in aluminosilicate glass system by using conventional mixed oxide technique in alumina crucible. Alumina was chosen to increase mechanical robust and the stability of KNN glass ceramic in ratio 0, 5, 10 and 15 mol%. The received glass ceramics were all transparent. The glasses were subjected to heat treatment processes at the temperature between 600 and 700°C in order to form the glass ceramics with desired crystal phases. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were used for phase identification and microstructural studies, respectively. The bulk crystallization of KAlSiO2 phase was observed in the glass ceramics with heat treatment temperatures from 600 - 675oC while KNN phase started to appear at higher temperature of 700°C. The glass ceramic containing 23.75 mol% SiO2 possesses the optimum values of dielectric constant (εr): ∼260 and low dielectric loss (tanδ): ∼0.02 at 10 kHz in room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the effect of thermal annealing on the electrical properties of lead-free Bi2GeO5 ferroelectric glass ceramics, the glass ceramics with composition of Bi2GeO5 were prepared by the conventional melt-quenching and heat-treatment methods subsequently. Glass ceramics of Bi2GeO5 was produced by subjecting the glasses from BiO1.5-GeO2-BO1.5 system to the heat treatment schedule at 475°C for 18 h. After that, the resulting samples were separately annealed at 275 and 375°C for 4, 8, 12 and 18 h, respectively. The important properties of the annealed Bi2GeO5 glass ceramics such as physical properties, phase formation and electrical properties were then investigated. It was found that the annealing treatment played an important role on electrical properties of these glass ceramics. The XRD patterns confirm the secondary phase of Bi4Ge3O12 co-existed with Bi2GeO5 which increased at higher annealing temperature and time. This caused a change in density and related electrical properties of the Bi2GeO5 glass ceramics. Both annealing temperature of 275 and 375°C with various times can improve dielectric properties and ferroelectric behavior of the resulting Bi2GeO5 glass ceramics when comparing with that of un-annealed sample. The optimum annealing temperature and time for the improvement of dielectric properties of Bi2GeO5 glass ceramics was found at 375°C/12 h, where the maximum values of the dielectric constant (εr) of 246 and low dielectric loss (tanδ) of 0.024 were obtained. Moreover, the ferroelectric property of all annealed glass ceramics exhibited the slim P-E loop and Pr values which slightly increased with increasing annealing temperature and time. However, the P-E loops are not the feature of truly ferroelectric, it may be represent a lossy capacitor behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research work is aimed at lowering the sintering temperature of 0.9PMN–0.1PT ceramics by adding oxide additives. The oxides used for this purpose were Bi2O3 and Li2CO3 with various amounts, following the formula of xBi2O3+yLi2CO3, where x+y = 10 mol% and x = 1, 3, 5 and the mixed oxide additive powders were then added to the dried powder of 0.9PMN–0.1PT with 1 wt% concentration. An excess PbO content of approximately 3 wtadded to all compositions to compensate the lead loss. After that, the mixed powders were pressed into pellets and subsequently sintered to form the ceramic samples. The results showed that the sintering temperature of 0.9PMN–0.1PT ceramics could be lowered down from 1250°C to 900–1000°C by the addition of small amount of the oxide additives, where the optimum composition was found in the sample with x : y = 1 : 9 at sintering temperature of 1000°C. Moreover, the densification, dielectric and ferroelectric properties of this sample remain acceptable in particular uses, promising positive future for reduction of lead loss from electrical and electronic industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the fabrication of lead-free ferroelectric glass-ceramics from the (K 0.5Na 0.5)NbO 3 system via incorporation method was carried out. For the incorporation method, calcined KNN was added into glass batches as a heterogeneous nucleating agent. Glass-ceramics KNNs were prepared from two compositions of KNN-SiO 2 with a ratio of 75 : 25 (C1) and 80 : 20 (C2) mol.%. Thermal properties resulting from DTA showed samples C1 and C2 having glass transition temperatures of 532°C and 520°C and crystallization temperatures of 645°C and 620°C, respectively. The prepared glasses were subsequently subjected to a heat treatment schedule in a temperature range of 500°C – 575°C for crystallization. XRD results showed that the KNN phase occurred in C1. The C2 glass-ceramic samples contained unidentified phases together with the KNN phase. From SEM observation, it was found that bulk crystals with an equiaxed shape of KNN phase dispersed well in all glass-ceramic matrices. Crystal sizes increased with increasing heat treatment temperatures. In C2 glass-ceramics, unidentified phases were found together with the KNN phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]